Kanibal Republic

KANIBAL REPUBLIC EXHIBIT 2022

Introduction

“Kanibal Republic,” an exhibit by Benedicto Modesto, was first shown in 2022 just before the Philippine presidential elections. Through symbolic and graphic imagery, Modesto critiques the interplay between corrupted power structures and a populace that is misled.

What is “Kanibal Republic” Trying to Say?

At its heart, the exhibit explores:

• Power and its predators: The title itself — “Kanibal Republic” — suggests a polity where those in control consume the people: their rights, resources, voices.
• Manipulation of belief: Modesto’s pieces aim to reflect “the misguided but popular mindset of those easily fooled and the powers that be who fuel such beliefs.”
• Symbolism and discomfort as wake-up calls: The imagery is graphic, symbolic, intended not merely for aesthetic consumption but to provoke thought, discomfort, self‐reflection.
• Breaking free: Even as the exhibit highlights oppression, there is also the notion of resistance — liberation from false narratives, awakening from manipulated consent. For example, one titled piece is Kalag (Break Free).

Key Themes in Modesto’s Work

Theme	Manifestations in the Art	Relation to Socio-Political Realities
Consumption by Power	The idea that leaders “devour” or exploit people, resources, institutions.	Corruption where government officials enrich themselves; political dynasties consuming opportunity; state resources siphoned off.
Misguided Beliefs & False Kings	The “He who will be KING” motif; the populace’s desire for saviors, authoritative figures.	Cults of personality; election promises that go unfulfilled; populism that masks corruption.
Manipulated Consent / Propaganda	Images that show how belief is shaped, uncritically accepted.	Fake news, propaganda, misinformation; government narratives that shift blame; media capture.
Resistance & Awakening	Imageries like “Kalag (Break Free)” suggest breaking away from oppression.	Civil society activism; whistleblowers; public outcry; demand for accountability.

How Kanibal Republic Relates to Corruption in Today’s Philippines

The Philippines has long grappled with corruption in many forms — from petty graft to large‐scale misuse of public funds; from opaque institutional systems to patronage politics. The themes in Kanibal Republic resonate with multiple real, ongoing issues.

1. Leaders who devour public trust and resources
   Public funds diverted, projects inflated, contracts awarded to cronies—all examples of how political power “consumes” citizen welfare.
2. Popularity over integrity
   Elections often turn on charisma, branding, promises, or fear, rather than governance track record or ethics. Voters may be swayed by spectacle, patronage, or promises without oversight.
3. Narrative control and misinformation
   With social media and rapid information spread, narratives can be molded. Disinformation, denial of wrongdoing, shifting blame: these tactics help shield corrupt behavior.
4. The “complacent public” and normalization
   When corruption becomes normalized—seen as “just how things are”—resistance is less forceful. People may feel helpless, cynical, or apathetic.
5. Calls for awakening and accountability
   There are pushes from civil society, from investigative journalism, from social movements to demand transparency, reform, justice. Kanibal Republic fits into this call: art as act of provocation to remind and stir the conscience of both leaders and citizens.

Why This Matters: Relevance & Lessons

• Social Surrealism in Art as Social Diagnostics
  Art like Modesto’s acts as mirror. It reveals what’s often unseen or unspoken — the structures, beliefs, hypocrisies that allow corruption to persist.
• Awareness is a First Step to Change
  If citizens can see the metaphor of “being eaten” by power, maybe they can more clearly see their complicity (through silence, acceptance) and their agency.
• Importance of Symbolic Resistance
  Not all resistance is legalistic or institutional. Symbolic acts — art, discourse, satire — can shift culture, shape values, which then pressure institutions.
• Warning before Crisis
  Shows like this, timed around elections, are especially potent. They serve as warnings: if “we” choose an unqualified leader or remain blind to abuses, the damage is real.

Conclusion

Benedicto Modesto’s “Kanibal Republic” is a powerful artistic meditation on power, manipulation, and the complicity (intentional or not) of the governed. Its timing—just before the elections—emphasized urgency: if we ignore how we are misled, how power consumes, we risk perpetuating cycles of corruption and corruption’s harms.

In the Philippines today, where corruption remains a pressing issue, the exhibit reminds us that systemic change begins not only through policy, law, or protests, but through grappling with collective consciousness: how we believe, whom we trust, how we hold leaders accountable, and whether we allow ourselves to be consumed.